Trek the challenging ancient route of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is one of the world’s most famous Hikes. Essentially the Inca Trail is a mountainous jungle hike leading to the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu. The 45km trek is usually covered in 4 days, arriving at Machu Picchu. The Inca Trail is Peru’s best known hike, combining a stunning mix of Inca ruins, mountain scenery, lush cloud-forest and rich sub-tropical jungle. Over 250 species of orchid have been counted in the Machu Picchu Historic Sanctuary.

Itinerary

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive in Cusco

Our representative will meet with you at Cusco Airport and escort you to your hotel, free day to get acclimatized

Overnight at Cusco Hotel

Meals Included: None

Day 2 – Cusco Typical Markets & Archeological Sites

Breakfast at the hotel; Cusco Markets and Ruins Tour is a great introduction to the Inca cultures and the Spanish colonial history of Cusco. We’ll pick you up from your hotel at 9:00am from where you’ll head on over to the San Pedro Market. In the company of your English speaking guide, you’ll learn about the market’s history as you explore rows of local produce, colorful fabrics, flower vendors and shaman stalls. The people of Cusco will not shy away, so be ready for some welcoming, yet entertaining local interaction.

From the bustling San Pedro market, you’ll be taken to the nearby serene Inca ruins. You’ll get to to visit the impressive fortress of Sacsayhuaman. This fortress hosts walls up to 400m long made out of boulders weighing from 128 – 200 tonnes. Your tour will continue to take you to various other Inca ruins including Q’enqo, a major Inca ceremonial and ritual ground and Puca Pucara, a military construction once part of the defense system of the Inca Empire. Your final stop will be at Tambomachay also known as the “Bath of the Inca” in Spanish. It consists of a series of aqueducts, canals and waterfalls that run through terraced rocks.

Overnight at Cusco Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3 – Pisaq Archeological Site & Indian Market

The Sacred Valley town of Pisaq was once a lofty Inca citadel. These days, it attracts shoppers rather than warriors, with its popular Sunday-morning handicrafts market. After touring Pisaq’s Inca site, dramatically set on a mountain spur an hour’s hike above the village, get ready to haggle and barter at the market.

Finger puppets, pan pipes, woven ponchos, rugs, shawls, hats, jewelry, ceramics – you name it, you’ll find it. Villagers from throughout the Sacred Valley come here to barter and sell produce, so the market has a lively everyday feel to it, rather than being geared to tourism.

The main market is on Sunday. Sunday is also a good time to see locals wearing colorful traditional dress as they are led out of Mass by the town mayor holding his silver staff of office. The hubbub really hits the market after Mass finishes, at around 11am. In the afternoon back to Cusco

Overnight at Cusco Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4 – Cusco / Km 82 / Wayllabamba

Pick up from the Hotel at 6:00am and drive to Km 82 the head of the Inca Trail. We begin our hike by crossing the bridge over the Urubamba River and walking along its left shore as it flows northwest. Following the trail along a flat terrain, we arrive in Miskay (2800m/9184 ft) to then ascend and finally see, from the tallest part of an overlook, the impressive Inca city of Llactapata (2650m/8692 ft). We continue trekking along the valley created by the Kusichaca River, gradually climbing for about five hours until we reach the community of Wayllabamba , our first camping.

Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Total distance: 12 km (7, 47 miles)

Estimated walking time: 5-6 hours

Maximum altitude point: 3000m (9840 ft)

Day 5 – Wayllabamba / Pacaymayo

Breakfast; we begin the most difficult part of the trek, which consists of an abrupt and steep ascent that stretches for 9 km along this climb. The first pass Warmihuañusca (Dead Woman´s 4200m/13776 ft) we may see domesticated llamas and alpacas grazing on ichu, one of the few plants that grow at high altitude. Walking down and cross an area of the so called cloud forest, which is the habitat for many different kinds of birds like hummingbirds and sparrows, and the Andean bear. We advise that on this day specially, your daypack is well stocked with candies, chocolates and coca leaves that will keep your sugar level high, and help with altitude sickness. We descend into the Pacaymayo (3600m/11808 ft), where we camp.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Total distance: 11 km (6, 84 miles)

Estimated walking time: 6-7 hours

Maximum altitude point: 4200m (13776 ft)

Day 6 – Pacaymayo / Wiñay Wayna

Breakfast; we ascend again past the Inca site of Runkuracay (3970m/13022 ft). As we reach the second pass, the landscape opens onto spectacular new views to the snow peaks of the Pumasillo range. Then we descend towards Yanacocha and enter the cloud forest to finally arrive at Sayacmarca. This is a beautiful complex made up of a semicircular construction, enclosures at different levels, narrow streets, liturgical fountains, patios and irrigation canals. Continuing up an easy climb to the third pass Phuyupatamarca, continue our trek down the long descending stone steps that lead us to Wiñaywayna (2650m/8692 ft) where we spend our last camping.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Total distance: 16 km (9, 94 miles)

Estimated walking time: 8 hours

Maximum altitude point: 3900m (12792 ft)

Day 7 – Wiñay wayna / Machu Picchu + Wayna Picchu

Breakfast; we wake up at 4:00am an hour later and climb to the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) from this fabulous spot, we may see the sunrise over the sacred citadel of Machu Picchu (2400m/7872 ft). From here we descend into Machu Picchu, 40 minutes later we enter the citadel from the highest point through the “House of the Guardians”. We then descend to the control point where we register ourselves and leave our backpacks.

Upon arrival, you will participate in a guided tour of the Citadel, visiting the Main Plaza, the Circular Tower, the Sacred Sun Dial (the most important preserved Intihuatana), the Royal Quarters, the Temple of the Three Windows, houses, warehouses, a large central square; and all connected by narrow roads and steps that are surrounded by terraces cut into the mountain side. After the tour you’ll have time to stroll around the Archaeological Site at your leisure.

Then, you will have time to perform some of the following activity by yourself:

Climb Wayna Picchu; for the most adventurous people, we suggest to go up the Wayna Picchu from where you can appreciate the immensity of Machu Picchu, even more amazing being high and distant.

Lunch at the Sanctuary Lodge Restaurant in Machu Picchu

Train back to Cusco: In the afternoon train departure to Cusco (Vistadome Class); upon arrival to Cusco reception and transfer to the Hotel – Overnight at Cusco Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Total distance: 4 km (2, 49 miles)

Estimated walking time: 2 hours

Maximum altitude point: 2700m (8829 ft)

Day 8 – Depart Cusco

Our representative will assist you and transfer to the airport and say goodbye.

Services not included

International airfares, domestic flights

Airport departure (US$ 30 per person for international flights and US$ 6.5 for national flights) taxes or visa fees, excess baggage charges, additional nights during the trip due to flight cancellations, alcoholic beverages or bottled water, snacks, insurance of any kind, laundry, phone calls, radio calls or messages, reconfirmation of flights and items of personal nature, personal equipment, obligatory personal insurance and meals which are not mentioned, Sleeping bag